Supermoon Saturday brings brightest, biggest moon

The perigee moon will reach its closest point to Earth at 11:34 EST, making it appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the average full moon. (Photo by NASA)

WASHINGTON – With Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby celebrations colliding this weekend, Saturday is gearing up to be a memorable day. Make sure to look up in between the mint julips and margaritas to catch a glimpse of this year’s most spectacular lunar event.

The supermoon, or perigee moon, will reach its closest point to Earth at 11:34 p.m. Eastern Time, making it appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the average full moon. One minute later, the moon will line up with the sun to look “gloriously full,” according to NASA.

“The best time to look up is when the moon is near the horizon,” NASA says. “Low hanging moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects.”